Automatic discharge for concrete mixers



1,628,378 May 10, 1927- E. WEBB AUTOMATIC DISCHARGE FOR C( DN CRETE MIXERS Filed Jan. 30. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l Wz'bwn/ o M y 10,192? V G; E. WEBB AUTOMATIC DISCHARGE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Jan. 30. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 am m .lll/Il Iiii -wi 1111 31mm,

Ii gym:-

Wibzess: a3, 4 h.

Y G. E. WEBB AUTOMATIC DISCHARGE FOR CONCRETE MIXER;

Filed Jan. 30. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED sra GEORGE E. WEBB,

AUTOMATIC nrscrranen Application filed January Concrete mixing machines are customarily equipped with discharge means, usually in the form of a discharge chute, by which the contents of the mixing drum of the machine are. adapted to be discharged after the lapse of a proper mixing period, or such machines are adapted to be controlled by the tilting ot their drums for the purpose of shifting the drum into such a position that the con tents thereof will be discharged by gravity.

,The primary object of this invention has 'been to. provide a novel mechanical means for enabling power to be utilized in the discharge operation of a mixing machine, said operation beingtoday largely effected by manual means. 7' In the operation ot the large mixers which are quite commonly manufactured at the present time, the operation of the discharge mechanism by manual means is quite arduous, and itis the aim of the present improvements to relieve the operator of all labor in connection with the discharging of the mixer, and if desired, to relieve him of any controlling function respecting said operation. Additionally it is designed to save time in the operation of the discharge of the machine by the efficient air tomatic power control means involved in the present improvement.

In carrying out the invention the general plan of the automatic operation of certain parts of the mixer is in accordance with the general principles of construction fully set forth in Patent No. 1,370,497 which was granted on March 1, 1921 toRobb, utilized in connection with an automatic time control mechanism such as that disclosed by Patent No. 1,t51,+t83 which was granted on April 10, 1923 to lVinkler, or the Patent No.

,321,460 which. was granted on November 11, 1919 to Lichtenberg.

In the carrying out of the present invention other special objectives are the design ing of positive driving mechanism for the discharge chute of the mixer, well suited to commercial conditions of space, and operating efiiciency, which mechanism does away entirely with the necessity of employing clutches such as are required to be manually operated in order to initiate the operation of the discharge'means in bringing the same eitherto discharging or non-discharging positions. By the elimination of clutches I do away with the. disadvantages o1 the complicated constructions of such parts and the ice.

OF MILVJAUKEE, WISCONSIN. .LESSIG'NOR T9 KOEHRING- COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE; WISCONSIN, CORPORATION.

roacononnrn MIXERS.

30, 1925. Serial no. 5,827.

wear and tear incident to the operation of such parts, and the same time the heretofore manual operation of such clutches is dispensed with through the automatic provisions that I have developed in conjunction with my discharge chute operating means.

The invention additionally includes spe cial provisions whereby the operator of the machine is enabled to take manual control of the discharge chute itdesired; provisions by which the operator may block or retard the discharge from the mixer should he de sire tohold the contents in the drum after the expiration of the usual mixing period; and other provisions preventing the opera ator from causing the discharge of the contents of the drum prior to the lapse of the proper mixing period as determined by the timing mechanism or batch meter.

W hile one particular embodiment of the invention will be shown and described in detail for illustrative purposes, it'will be understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact construction shown and that many modifications and changes can beinade in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which i Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tragmentary portion of a concrete mixing machine having the invent-ion appliedthereto. FigureQ is an end view of the same.

Y Figure 3 is a detail view of the power control: mechanism, showing the parts thereof in normal posit-ion/ 1 Figure l isa similar view with the parts shown in the position assumed after the gear turning lever has been released.

Figure 5 is a detail'viewillustrating the action of the trip mechanism during the release of the detent which controls the gear moving lever. V

Figure 6; isa plan View of the detent and associated trip mechanism.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the safety coupling or clutch con- 'nection between the discharge chute operating shaft and the power mechanism, the clutch parts being shown in operative engagement witheach other. a

Figure 8 is a similar view taken on a plane at substantially right angles to that of Figtit] are T. the clutch parts being shown in the position assumed when disengaged from each other.

Figure an end view of the safety coupling.

Fig. a transverse section taken on the plane indiated by line 10-10 of Fig. 8 and looking in the direct-ion indicated by the arrows.

Correspondina; and like parts are reterrecl. to in the toll-ow description and indicated on all oi the views of the drawings by like reference characters.

For the purpose oi. illustrationthe discharge control mechanism of this invention is shown as mounted upon a conventional and well known type of concrete mixer which includes a mixing drum A and associated discharge chutc 13. having the general construction and mounting which is clearly disclosed in Patent No. 1126,4187 which was granted to lioehring on January 26, 1915. The mixing drum A is provided with the external gears which engage suitable driv ing pinions. not shown. whereh rotation of thc drum is effected from any suitable source at power; The discharge chute l) is connected hr the usual linkage D to an arm E on the chute operating shaft 1. By rotating this shaft in reverse directions the discharge chutc can he swung through an angle of approximately 90 and caused to assume either the non-discharging position. indicated hy dotted lines in Figure 1. or the discharging position. indicated hv full lines in Figure It. con entional loading skip l is employed 't'or supplviug the unmixed aggregates to the drum and suitable means. not shown. may he utilized "0! supplying the necessary moisture or water to the aggregates which are fed into the mixing drum lrom the loading skip. When the loading ship it; swung upwardl into the position in dicatcd h v Figure 'l. on the drawings. the unmixed aggregates which have previously hccn deposited in the same will slide downwardlv and he discharged by gravity into the mixing drum.

suitahlc timing mechanism or hatch mctcr (ills utilized. for measuring the mixing period tor the successive hatches of materials which are led into the drum. ln order to producepropcr concrcte it is of importance that all ot the batches should he thoroughly and properly mixed and also that the mixing time tor each hatchshouldhe suhstantially the same so that a uniform output is ohtaiiled. Various forms of mechanisms hare htiretottire heendevised for measuring or timing theinixiiig period so that all of the hatchcspassing through the mixer will lite.unitilrinlv and properlv mixed. and the timing mechanism G whiehis shown on the ai-tmaanmy be of a on which is fully disclosed iittlie lVinldcr l atentl No. L l-51.483

which was granted on April 10. 1923. When the loading strip F is swung tmwardly to do liver the contents thereof into the mixing drum it engages a plunger 2 and moves the same forwardly, thcreh swinging a lever 23 on the timing mechanism (fl and setting the mechanism toroperation. M. the expiration of the proper mixing period, as detern'iined by the i'i'ieclianisn'ioi the hatch meter G, an arm l at. one side o'lf the hatch meter casing mvung upwardly, .iid arm heing connected li a link I) to an arm t3 ot the power control mcohai'iism.

lhe power control mechanism is housed within a casing l which is suitably arranged under the hatch mctcr or timing mechanism G. A power shaft 8. which sulistantially parallel with the axis of the mixing drum. extends into the casing 7 and is suitably journaled in the sides thcreoi. The portion of the power shalt" which is within this casing has a worm 5) keyed thereon. while the other end o t the power shalt is provided with a pinion ltl which meshes with one of the external gears ot the mixing drlun. The hraclrcr H which supports the timing mechanism ti" and casing T is provided with a l)()tlting it which receives the power shaft 8 at a point adjacent to the pinion 1t) and serves to support and position the shaftso that the pinion will he maintained in proper mesh with the gear (.7 of the drum. The power shaft is thus driven continually from thrdrum as long as the mixer in operation.

.lournalcd within the casing T and arranged ahorc the power shat't l is a mutilated worm gear 12. This mutilated gear 12 is lit Vttl upon a shalt 13 which is journaled in the casing T and cxtcmls through one at the side walls thcrcot. the outer end, of the shaft heing provided with an arm let-.Wvhich is connected h) a downwardly extending link 5 to a corresponding arm or lever (l on the chute operating shaft l. The mutilated gear has two cut-away portions ill which are ar ranged suhstantiallv i apart. and each o'l which is sutlicientlv large to receive the worm 9. It will he understood. however. that by moving the worm gcar to bring the tooth thcrcol into mcsh with the constantly rotating worm S). the gear ilwill he torcihly rotated by the worm untilthe worm overrides the teeth thcreot amlagain enters one of the cr1t awtrv portions or recesses 'l'T. This rotation oi the mutilated worm gear and shaft through an angle of 180 serves to rotate the chute operating s mitt l. as will he hereimrltcr dcscrihcd to swing the discharge chute into either a discharging or non-discharging position. i

The mutilated gear wheel '12 is providtal upon one. side thereof with'a huh portion tr having opposed tlat sides or seats 19 which are 180 apart. One arm of a hell crank neutralizing lever is adapted to hear resiliently against one-ofthe flat sides'19 of the hub to hold the worm gear in neutral position with the I'OtltlllgWYOlDl 9 received in one of the recessed portions 17 of the mutilated gear wheel. The other arm of the bell crank lever is connected by a tension spring 21 ton start-ing lever 22 which is pivoted between its ends on the shaft 23. One end of the starting lever has a nose 22 which is adapted to engage either one of apair of pins 24 which project laterally from the mutilated gear wheel. The other end of the starting lever is adapted to be engaged by a detent 25 which normally holds the starting lever in inoperative position, thereby retaining the spring 211'under tension and holding the arm of the bell crank lever against one of the fiat sides or seats 19 of the gear wheel hub so that the gear wheel is maintained in neutral position. The detent is rigid with a short shaft 26 which is journaled in one of the side walls of the casing 7 and extends through the casing. The projecting end" of the said shaft is shown as having a hand lever 27 applied thereto for use in manual control of the detent member under certain condis tions of operation. A tail piece 25 projects rearwardly from the pivot end of the detent 25 and is provided with a curved or segmental portion 25 which is slotted longitudinally to receive the curved end of a locking pawl 28. Thelocking pawl is pivotally connected at '29 to the end of an arm 30 which is rigid with the inner end of a short shaft 31, said shaft being j ournaledin a side wall of the casing 7" and extending through the same. The outer end of the shaft 31 has the arm 6 rigidly appliedthereto, said arm being connected with the batch meter or timing mechanism G through the medium of the link 5 and arm 4 as previouslydescribed. w Connecting the tail piece 25 of the detent 25 to the locking pawl 28 is a tension spring 32 which normally tends to swing the locking pawl toward the inner end of the slot 33' and cause the nose 34 of the looking pawl to engage the tail piece 25 to limit the swingin movement of the detent in one direction. gwinging movementof the'detent in the other direction" is provented by a shoulder 35 which projects laterally from the locking pawl, said shoulder engaging one side'of the tail piece 25 while the nose of the pawl normally engages the other side of the tail piece.-the shoulder and nose then cooperating with each other to prevent a swinging movement of the detent in either direction Vwithout producing a corresponding movement of the arm 30 and short shaft 31,.whichanovement is prevented by reason of the fact that the arm 6 at the-outer end of the saidshaft 31-;is connected by. the link 5 to the arm 4 of the-batch.met r r'timing mechanism G. The free end of the locking pawl terminates in a curved or cam portion 36, which is 'adaptedto engagea round hub portion 37 on one side of the mutilated gear wheel 12. Theround hub portion 37 projects upon" one side of the mutilated gear wheel 12, while the hub portion 18 withthe flat seats19, projects from the oppositeside thereof. j c c 1 At the expiration of the proper deter minedmixing period ,;as' measured by the timing mechanism G, the arm of the timing mechanism is rotated upwardly to pull upwardly on thelink 5. This motion is transmitted through the arm 6, short shaft 31, and arm 30 to the locking pawl 28. The nose, 34 of the, locking'pawl is then in en gagement with the tail piece 25 of the detent, with the resultthatthis movement of the locking pawl swings the detent 25 and releases the starting lever 22. Just after the starting lever is released the cam shaped end 36 of the locking pawl is brought into engagement with thehub 37 of the mutilated gear wheel, and rides thereon, whereby the locking pawl is swung about its pivot 29 to produce tension in the spring 32 and return' the detent 25 to its original position, so that it will automatically engage the starting lever to reset the mechanism when the starting lever is swung back toits original position. 1' 1 Aseoon as the starting lever 22 is thus released by'the tripfmechanism it is swung about its::pivotal mounting by the energy stored in the spring 21 and-the nose 22 thereof brought into a forcible engagement with either one of the pins 24 on the mutilated gear 12. The tension of the spring 21 is thus very materially decreased when the starting lever is released and the bell crank lever 20 accordingly bears with less force on the flat side of the hub 18, thereby making it less difficult to overcome the action of the neutralizingbellcranklever 20 and impart movement to the gear wheel. The actionof the starting lever on the pin 24 is suflicient to produce an initial rotation of the. gear wheel and bring the teeth thereof into'mesh with one end of the worm 9. The gear wheel will then be positively rotated by the worm, although at a considerable reductionin speed, until the worm over-rides the teeth ofthe gear wheel and enters the recessed portion 17 at the opposite side thereof. The mutilated gear wheel 12 and shaft 13' willthen have completed substantially a one-half rotation and, as will be subsequently described, this acts to shiftthe discharge chute from either a discharging or non-discharging position into the opposite position. Before the mutilated gear completes the one-half revolutionone .of the pins 24thereon engages 'a cam. 38 onthe starting lever 22 and swings the said startlit ing .leverhack to its original position, where upon it is automatically el'igaged by the detent The shoulder or projecton on the locking pawl 28 makes it impossible to ulai'mally release the detent 25 until after the termination ot' the proper mixing: period as measured by the hatch meter G, although by holding the hand lever the releasing oi? the detent and discharge of the hatch can be delayed as long as desired after the QXPIFH: tion of the predetermined mixing period. It is thus im 'mssihle for the operator to disel'large the batch until after it has remained in the mixing drum for the full predetermined period of time asmeasuredhy the batch meter. although the operator an keep thebatch in the mixing drum tor a longer period of time it he so desires. A distinct advantage arises from connecting the spring Ql of the starting lever to the neutralizing lever 20. ll hen the mechanism is set the tension oi this spring causes the neutralizing lever to pr .3 agail'ist a flatside 19 ot the huh with a considerable amount of force so that there is no possihility oi" the mutilated worm gear being hrought p1'ennitureh; into engagement with the worm. although as soon as the starting lever is released the tension of the said spring greatl v reduced so that the res stance to the initial rotation of the mutilated gear greatly decreased. It will also he noted that there are rounded corners 19" at.- the ends of the tlat seats 19 of the huh 18 which make it easier for the neutralizing lever to ride out oi engagement with the lat seats.

Provision is made forpreventinn prematurc actuation of the chute operating means by pulling downwardly on the connecting rod 15 and imparting a suliiciei'it rotary movement to the crank arm it and shaft '18 to brine the two gears into mesh. The starting lever .22 is provided with an arm 50, shown by Figs. 3. at and 5. which pro jet-ts laterally therefrom and normally has the end thereof positioned just in front of the upper pin 2% of the mutilated gear wheel. As long as this arm is directly in the path ot' the said pin 52st; it provides a positive stop tor preventing any initial r0- tation of the gear wheel to brim, the teeth thereof into mesh with the worth. How ever. as soon as th starting lever is rel ascd by the detent the stop arm at) is swung upwardly out ot' the path ot the upper pin B-l during: the slightlllitiltllllltWG- ment of the starting lever which is neces sarv to hrinp the nose 22 at the lower end thereof into engagement with the lower pin it. the position of the stop arm fit when it is swunp into inoperative position being: indicated by Figure The. stop arm does not interfere at all with the normal operation of the trip mechanism but: cooperates with the uppermost pin 2% to provid 1 a locking means which prevents thenmtilated gear trom being rotated independently of t'het'rip means, as by pulling donuiwardly on the rod to and thereby swinging the drank arm l-.land turninpthe shaft '16. the mixing device thus prevented irom' cheating the timing mechanism and causing. the contents oi? the mixingdrum to be dis-- charged heit'ore the trip mechanism isaetuated in. the timing device.

li hen the mutilated rrar l2 actuated the arm l-l at the outer end otthe near shalt i is corre.;pondingl moved andmotion is transmitted trom this arm through the link 1:: to the arm lti which loose on the, chute operating: shat't 1.. This arm interposed between a collar 39 which is tixed on the shaft and a clutch member ttl which is keyed upon the shat't at at]. so that: it rotateswith toe shalt but is free to slide"longitudinally thereon. The clutch memher has a hollow cvlindrical formation, and a spring i2 is housed therein. one end of the spring hearing; against the clutch member while the other end thereot bears against a plate 4.3 which is rigidly applied to the shaft and closes the open end of the spring receiving chaml'ier provided in the interior oi the clutch member. The clutch member telescopes over the plate eli-l when it is moved against the action of the spring; and a valved trrease inlet its on the plate l?) enaliles the spring receiving chamber to be tilled with grease or oil after the parts have been assemhled. The end of the clutch member to which is adjacent to the arm lti is provided upon diametrically opposite sides thereof with recesses it, havingincliiied side mils. The adjacent side oi the hub portion of the link i5 is provided with corres giondingr lugs 4th which have inclined sides and are adapted to enter the recesses to to produce a clutch connection between the arm 16 and the chute operating" shaft l. 'llhe shatt 11, ordiliarily rotates with the aim ltl, although in the event. there is any unusual li sistance to the rotation of the shaft. the inclined or cam sides of the clutch lugs lti and recesses to will cooperate with each other to slide the clutch member it) against. the action ot the spring 42 and break the clutch connection hctween the arm 16 and the shaft, thereby preventing breakagjeor dangerous straining ot' the partsi As previously explained. the chute operating shaft 1 is connected in any suitable manner as by means of the conventional linkage I) to the dischztrge chutekB. so that lrv alternately oscillating theshalt in oppositcdirect-ions the discharge chute can be swung from either a discharging or nondischarging position into the opposite position. However, should the chart 1 be pre vented from rotating tor anv reason. as by the lodgement of a stone or other ohstrnc- The operator oi ll t) tion between the link members where they project into the drum or by excess accumulation of concrete on the sub-chute, the safe. ty coupling provided by the clutch device will cause the driving connection between the power shaft 8 and chute operating shaft 1 to be broken so that breakage of the parts will be prevented.

It will be noted that the mutilated worm gear 12 and its shaft 13 always revolve in the same direction, while the chute operating shaft 1 oscillates in opposite directions. This is made possible by the fact that the arm 14 of the mutilated gearshaft 13 is shorter than the arm 16 on thechute operating shaft 1. The arm 14 turns through an angle of approximately 180 each time it is-operated, while the arm 16 moves back and forth through an angle which is less than 180, the exact movement beingjustthat which is required for operating the discharge chute through the linkage In mixing a batch of concrete it w1ll be apparent that when the unmixed aggregates are deposited in the drum A from the loading skip F, the mechanism of the batch meter G is started into operation. It is lmpossible for the operator to manipulate the hand lever 27 to release the trip mechanism of the power device and bring about adischarge of the batch until before the completion of the mixing period as determined by the batch meter. At theexpirationof this predetermined time the'batch meter pulls upwardly onthe link 5 and thereby releases the detent 25 of the power device, as previously described. The mutilated gear wheel is then brought into action by the starting lever 22, whereby power is transmitted from the power. shaft Sto the-chute operating shaft .1 to rotate the said shaft a sufficient amount to swing the discharge chute B into discharging position, whereupon the prop erly mixed batch of concrete is discharged from the drum. As soon asthe batch has been discharged the operator can manipulatethe hand lever 27 to move the detent'25 and release the startinglever 22, whereupon there is another cycle of operation of the power mechanism to return the discharge chute to non-discharging position. As soon as the next successive batchis deposited in the mixing drum the timingmechanism or batch meter G is reset as previously de-- scribed, whereupon the link 5 is moved downwardly and the locking pawl 28 brought into positive position to render it.

impossible for the detent 25 to be again released by the hand lever; until after the proper mixing period has completely expired Ttwill be obvious 'that, ifdesired, the second cycle of operation of thepower mechanism requiredto return the discharge chute to non-discharging position could be readily provided for automatically by a linkage connection arranged for actuation by the skip. c

While the power discharge mechanism hascbeen shown as applied to a mixer of that type which is provided with a tilting discharge chute, it will be understood that the power mechanism can be utilized for operating the discharge mechanism of any type of mixer, including those mixers which are so mounted that the drums can be rotated'to admit of the batchfalling from the drum by gravity. .g

The armBO and arm 6 constitute in effect what may be termed a detent releasing lever, said lever being releasably connected to the detent 25 by means of the locking pawl 28. lVhen this detent releasing lever is actuated bythe timing mechanism G the detent is disengaged from the starting lever 22, whereupon the gear members are brought into initial engagement and the,

mutilated gear driven by power through a half revolution to swing the discharge chute from a non-discharging position into a discharging position or vice versa. The casing within which the power mechanism is located may be supplied or filled with a lubricant so that the gear members and associated parts will operate in oil, thereby preventing undue wear upon the mechanism and enable it to stand 'up successfully under long peri'ods of hard usage. I

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let-' ters Patent is 1. In combination, a power driven mixer, charging means for the mixer, discharging means for the mixer, powerv means driven by themixer for actuating the discharge means, and timing mechanism controlled by the charging means and controlling the said power means.

2. In combination, a power driven mixer, charging means for the mixer, discharging means for the mixer, power means driven from the mixer for intermittently actuating the discharging means, and timing mechanism controlled by the charging means and controlling the intermittent action of the said power means. i

In combination, a mixer, discharging means for the mixer, a constantly driven power member, timing mechanism, and means controlled by the timing mechanism for intermittently power member to the discharging means.

4C. In combination, a mixer, discharging means for the mixer, a constantly driven power member for intermittently actuating the discharge means, timing mechanism automatically controlling the actuation of the discharge means, and manual means for controlling the actuation of the discharge me v 5. In combinatioma mixer,

connecting the said discharging means for the mixer, a eons-timtly driven power member tor intermittently actuating theudiaeharee means. timing mechanism automatieally rontrolling the said intermittent aetion. manual n'ieans for controlling; theintermittent aetion ot the discharging means. and means tor rendering the said manual means inoperative until atter the eompletion oi the operation ot the timing n'ieehanism.

t In combination, a miner. diseharging means for the mixer. a ronstantly driven power member. a eeond power member driven intermittently thereby anl operatively eonneettnl to the diseharge means, timing mechanism for the mixer. and means operated by the said. timing merhanizm 'l'or rausine' the intermittently driven power memberto be artuated by the eonstantly d Even po ver member.

T. ln cainnliination. a miner. dist-barging means for the mixer. a constantly driven power meu'iher. a second, power member driven intermittently hereby and opera lively t' iltl -inii'ttl to the discharging means for aetnat the latter. timing: merhanism for the mixer. meana eontrolled by the t ming mer anism tor reusing an actuation at the inter:nittently driven power member. and manual meana tor earning an artnation ol the intermittently driven power n'iembei'. said manual means being inope'ative nnt il a'l'tr the full operation of the timing l'llttlltb nism has been eompleted.

in combination. a mixer. discharging meann l'or toe mixer. a eonstantly driven power memher. a areonil ower member driven intermittently thereby and opentively connected to the tllfit'iltllti't means. trip means eontrollimg the intermittent opera tion oi the serond power member. timing; meehanism tor the mixer. and an operative ronneetion between the timing meehanisni and the trip means.

h. In eomhination. a miner. disehargrinn means tor the mixer. a Qt llr l't'tlll'lY driven power member, a aerond power member driven interniittently ther by. trip means eontrolline the intermittent action at the seeond power member. timinn meelainism tor the mixer. an operative ronnertion between the timing mechani m and the trip means. nninual means t'or eleasing the trip means. and INCHES l'or preventing manual release (it the trip means until i i'llti the timing; merhanisni has eomplettal its toll operation.

ill. in iannbination. a mixer. disrharning; means for the mixer. a ronntantly driven near, an intta'mittently driven near lravine a mutilated portion normally reeeivii the constantly driven gear and operatively eonneeted to the diselargre meane. and means for initially moving; the intern'iittently driven gear into mesh with the eon:= tantly driven gear whereby the l ormer is driven to urinate the diseharg'e means.

ll. in eombination. a mixer, discharge means for the hitter. a etnnrtantly driven an nitermittently driven gear having a nnnilated portion receiving the Constantly driven gear. means For initially moving the intermittently aetnated gear to brine it into mesh with the eoni-itantly driven gear. neutralizing means for stopping the intermittently driven ear when the eonstantly driven gear over-rides the same and enters the mutilated portion thereof. and an operative eonnerlion between the intermittently driven gen and the dist-barge means.

in. in romljiination. a mixer. discharge ieans tor the mixer. a etmstantly driven ear. an intermittently driven gear operalvely rennet-ted to the distdmrge means and ravine a mutilated portion normally rereivine. the eonstantly driven near, yielding means tending to lOL'h'. the intermittently driven gear at rent with the constantly driven gear in 'iiniperative poaition Within the mutilated portion thereof. starting im ans tor initially movinr the interl'nittently driven grar to overcome the, looking! llltftll'lI-i and bring the gear into mesh with th renstantly driven new. and means for derrairine the eli'eetimness oi the locking meana when the startii'in meam: is brought into action.

1 5. In combination. a mixer. discharging means For the n1i):e1.'a eonstantly driven near, an intermitlently driven gear operatively eonnerted to the disr-hare e means and having; a mutilated portion normally receiving; the constantly driven gear. a starting member adapted to engage the intermittently driven gear to bring the name initially into mesh with the eonstantly driven gear. a tiat seat carried by the intermittently driven gear. a neutralizing love adapted to engage the Hat seat to -ztop the movement of the flfll' when the ronatantly driven gear enters the mutilated portion thereof. and a tension spring: eonneetine' the neutializine lever and starting memher. the stored ene ejy ot the spring serving to operate the starting; member and the tension ot the spring being: thereby redueed so that there is less resistance by the neutralizing: lever to the artion ot the starting: lever.

ll. ln eombination. a mixer. diselmrne means For the mixer. a ronstantly driven near. an intermittently driven gear operztively eonneoted to the discharge means and havinea mutilated portion normally rereivinn: the eoinitantly driven gear. a starting lever adapted toengapge the intermittently driven gear tor bringing the same initially into mesh with the constantly driven gear. a detent norn'ially holding the starting lever in inoperative. position. a. nentrzilizinn lever tending to prevent rotation of the interlid mittently drivengear when the constantly driven gear is inoperative within the mutilated portion of the intermittently driven gear, a spring connecting the neutralizing lever and starting lever and providing the power for actuating the starting lever when released, the utilizatio'nof the stored energy of the spring for actuating the starting lever serving to reduce the action of the spring on the neutralizing lever so that resistance ly holding the startinglever in inoperative position, timing means for the mixer, and means actuated by the timing means for automatically releasing the detent.

16. In combination, a mixer, discharging.

means for the mixer. a constantlydriven gear.v an intermittently driven gear operativcly connected to the discharge means and having a mutilated portion normally receiving the constantly driven gear, a starting lever for moving theintermittent gear to bringit into engagement with the constantly driven gear, a detent normally holding the starting lever in inoperative position. timing mechanismfor themixer, a

detent operating lever connected to the said I timing mechanism, and a releasable connec tion between the detent operating lever and the detent.

17. In combination. a mixer, discharge means for the mixer. ajconstantly driven gear. an intermittently driven gear operativelv connected to the discharge means-and provided with a mutilated portion normany r eeiving the constantly driven gear,'a starting lever adapted to move the intermittentlv driven. gear to bring it into initial engagement with the constantly drivengearga detent normally holding the starting lever in inoperative position, timing mechanism for the mixer, a detent operating lever conuccted to the timing mechanism, a releasable connection between the .detent operating lever and the detent, means for automati wally releasing the said connection and returning the detent to its original position after the actuation thereof. and meanstor resetting the gear actuating lever.

18. In combination. a mixer. discharge means for the mixer, a constantly driven gear, an intermittently driven gear opera tively" connected to the discharge means and having a mutilated portion normally re ceiving the constantly driven gear, a start- 111g lever for moving the intermittently driven gear to bring it into initial mesh with the constantly driven gear, a detent normally holding the starting lever in inoperative position, timing mechanism for the mixer, a detent operating lever operatively connected to the said timing mechanism, a locking pawl releasably connecting the detent operating lever and detent, means for automatically releasing the pawl and returning the detent to its original position after the detent has been actuated, and means actuated by the gearing for resetting the starting lever.

'19. In combination, a mixer, discharge means forthe mixer, a constantlydriven gear, an intermittently driven gear operatively connected to the discharge means and having a mutilated portion normally receiving the constantly'driven gear, a starting lever for moving one ofthe gears into initial'mesh with the other gear, a detent normally holding thestarting lever in inoperative position, timing mechanism for the mixer, a detent operating lever operatively connected to the said timing mechanism, a locking pawl operatively connecting the detent operating lever to the detent, cam means for automatically releasing the pawl after the detent has been actuated, and means actuated by the gearing for resetting the start ing' lever. V

20. In combination, a 'miXer, discharge means for the mixer, a constantly driven gear, .an intermittently driven gear opera tively connected to the discharge means and havinga mutilated portion normally receiving the constantly driven gear, a starting lever for moving one of the gears into initial engagement with the other gear, a detent for holding the starting lever in inoperative'position, timing mechanism for the miner, a detent operating lever operatively connected to the timing mechanism, a locking pawl connecting the detent operating lever and the detent, said locking pawl having a. cam portion which engages a part of one of the gear members for automatically releasing the pawl after the detent has been actuated, and means for resetting he starting lever;

21. In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer. a constantly driven gear. an intermittently driven gear operatively connected to the discharge means and having a mutilated portion normally receiving the constantly driven gear, a starting lever'tor moving one of the gears to bring it into initial engagement with the other gear, a detent'normally holding the starting lever in inoperative position, timingmechw iii iii:

ill

nisni tor the mixer, a. detenh operating lever operatively connected to the timing mechanit-in, a locking pawl connecting the-(latent operating lever and the detent, means for antomatically releasing the locking pawluwhen the detent is released. resilient means controlled by the locking pawl for restoring the detent to its original position. andnieans tor i'tStlltlHQ' the starting lever.

252. In combination, a mixer.discharge means 't'orithe mixer, a constantly driven gear. an intermittently driven gear operatively connected to the discharge means and having a mutilated portion normally receiving the constantly driven gear. a starting lever for moving one of the gears into initial engagement with the other gear, a detent normally holding the starting lever in inopcrative position. timing mechanism for the mixer. a detent operatinglever. ('iperatively connected to the timing mechanism, areleasable connection between the detent and do tent operatinglever. vielding'imans controlled by the said releasable mechanism for returning the detent to its original position after it has heen actuatedoand. means for resetting the starting lever.

i -l. In comhinat'ion. a mixer. discharge means "tor the mixer. a constantly driven gear. an intermittently driven gear opera. lively connected to the discharge means and having a mutilated portion normally re ceiving the constantly driven. gear, a starting lever adapted to move one of thegears into initiai engagement: with the othergear. a detcnt normally holding the starting lever in inoperative position.,a manual lever opcratively connected with the .dctent'. a detent: operating lever. a releasable connection between the detent. operating leverand dctcnt, and means for preventing release of the detent hy the manually operable;lever nntil after the detent operating lever has been actuated.

24-. In combination, a mixer,.ilischarge means tor the mixer. a constantly ili'iveii ge r. an intcrmittently driven gear operatively connected to the discharge meansand having a imitilated portion normally receiving the constantly driven gear. a pin projecting laterally from the intermittently driven gear, a starting lever having a portion adapted to engage the pin to move the intermittently driven gear to bring it into initial mesh with the constantly driven gear. a detent normaly holding the starting lever in inoperative position. trip means controlling the detent, and a cam portion on the lever projecting into the path of the before mentioned pin for resetting the ,lever.

25. In eonil'iination. a mixer, discharge means for the mixer. a constantly driven gear. an intermittently driven gear operativel v connected to the discharge means and having a mutilated portion normally receiv ng the constantly driven gear, a starting leve' adapted. to move one o't the gears to tiring it into initial engagen ient with the other gear, a detent normallyholding the starting lever in inoperative positiomtinr ing mechani m,tor the mixer, a .detent operating lever operatively connected with the timing n ieehanism, a loching pawl carried by the detent operating lever and termed with ,a shoulder prev aiting relative movement oi thedetcnt in one direction. and. a nose preventing relative movement oi the detent in the other direction. means 'lo' antomatieally releasing thenose and causing the detent to return to its original position ttltlllllt has been actuated, and meanstor re--ztoring the starting lever.

126. in conihination. a mixer, discharge means tor tllt llllXtllk tl constantly driven gear. anintern)ittently driven gear operativeiy connected. to the discharge means and having a. mutilated portion i'iorniallyreoeiving the constantly driven gear, a starting lever for movingone oi the gears to hring it into initial engagement with the other gear. a detent.normaly holding the starting lever in inoperative position. timing mechanism tor the mixer, a detent operating lever operativcly connected to the timing mechanism. a locking dog releasably connecting the detent operating lever and detent. said locking .pawl having a am nose. and one ol1 the gear.members having a huh portion which is ei'igaged by the cam nose and cooperates therewith to automatically disengage the locking pawl and release the detent after the dctent' hae hcen actuated.

2?. In combination.a mixer. discharge means for the mixer. a constantly driven gear, a gear adapted to he driven intermittently by the constantly driven gear and operatively connected to the discharge means. and starting means tor initially bringing the two geara into mesh to actnate the discharge means.

28. In con'ihination. aiinixer. discharge means for the mixer a constantly driven gear, a second gear n'ieinher ope *atively connected to the discharge means and adapted to he brought intermittently into engagement with the constantly driven gear, starting means for bringing the two gear members initially into mesh with each other to produce an actuation ot the discharge means, and timing mechanism operatively connected to the starting means.

Jihln combination. a mixer. discharge means for the mixer. a constantly driven gear. an iiitern'iittently driven gear having a mutilated portion nm'n'ially receiving the constantly driven gear and. operativelycoir nected to the ilischarge i'neans. and. starting means for initially moving one of the gears to bring itinto mesh with the otheixgear to means.

timing mechanism for the mixer,adetent' releasing the detent.

30. In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer, a constantly driven gear a second gear operatively connected to the discharge ineans'and adapted to be intermittently driven by the constantly driven gear, a starting lever for moving one of the gears to bring 1t into initial engagement with the other gear to produce an actuation of the discharge means, a detent normally holding the starting lever 11'1 inoperative position,

timing means for the mixer, and means act-uated by the timing means for automatically 81. In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer, a constantly driven gear, a second gear operatively connected to the discharge means and adapted to be driven intermittently by the constantly driven gear,

. a starting lever for movingone of the gears toi'bring it into initial mesh with the other gear and produce an actuation ofthe discharge means. a detent normally holding the starting lever in inoperative position,

operating lever o'peratively connected to the said timing mechanism, and a releasable con nection between the detent and detent open ating lever. U 1

' 32. In combination, a. mixer, discharge means forthe mixer, a' constantly'driven gear, a second gear operatively connected to the discharge 'me'ans and adapted to be intermittently driven" by the constantly driven gear, a starting lever for moving'one of the gears to bring it into initial mesh with the other gear to produce an actuationof the discharge means, adetent normally holding the starting lever in inoperative posi tion, timing mechanism for the mixer, a detent operating 'leveroperatively connected to the said timing mechanism, aj locking pawl releasably connecting the detent operating lever and the detent, means for automatically releasing the pawl and returningthe de- I means, adetent normally holding the starttent to its original position after the detenth'as been actuated, and means for re setting the starting lever. I

33. In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the'mixer, a constantly driven gear, a second gear operativelyconnected to the'discharge means and adapted to be intermittent-lydriven by the constantly driven gear, a starting leverfor movingone ofthe gears into initial'mesl1' witl1 the othergear to produce an actuation'of the discharge ing lever in inoperative position, timing mechanism for the mixer, a detent operating leveroperatively connected to the said tinis nrcllan m,- a leak ng P Operatively connecting the detent operating lever to the detent, cam means for automatically releasing the .gawl after the detent has been actu- Med, and means actuated by the gears torresetting the starting lever. f

34; In combination, a mixer, discharg means for the mixer, a constantly driven gear, a second gear operatively connected to the discharge means and adapted to be .act'uate'd intermittently by the constantly driven gear to produce an actuation of the discharge means, a starting lever for moving on'e'o'i the gears into initial mesh with the other gear, a detent for holding the starting lever in inoperative position, timing mechanism for the mixer, a'detent operating lever operatively-connected to the timing mechanism, a locking pawl connecting'the detent operating lever and the detent, said locking: pawl having a cam portion; which engages a' part of one of the gear members foriautomatically releasingthepawl after the detent has been actuated, and means'for resetting the starting lever.

I 85. In combinatiomfa mixer, discharge means for the mixer, a constantly driven normally holding the starting lever in inoperative position, a manually operated means connected to thedetent, timing mechanism for the mixer, an 'operativecon-nee tion'between the timingimechanism and the detent, and'meansfor preventing actuation ofthe detent by the manual means until timing mechanism.

' 36. In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer, power mechanism for operating the discharge means, and an autoafter the completion ofthe'operation ofthe matically releasable mechanism between the power mechanism and discharge means.

137. In combination, a mixer, discharge meansfor the mixer, power mechanism for operating the discharge means, and a.con-' n ection including a safety clutch interposed between the power mechanism and discharge means and" permitting the power mechanism to 'work without operating the discharge means 1 1 c I 38;In combination, a: mixer, discharge means for' thefm ixen power mechanism for operating the discharge means,"and a con-- nectionbetweenthe' power mechanism and discharge means including acIutch' comprising/springpressed members having corrc spondingcam portions which normally interloeki but will ride over each other and automatically release "the connection it abnormal resistance is encountered in the operation of the discharge means. a w

39. In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer, a discharge operating ill shaft. an arm looee on the shaft, power means operatirely connected to the arm, and a clutch connection between the arm and the shaft which will be automatically roleaeed it' al'inornial resistance is encountered in operating the discharge means,

d0. In colnbinatioin a mixer, discharge means for the mixer, a discharge operating shaft, an arm loose on the shaft and formed with a clutch 'taee, power means operatively connected to the arm, a clutch nembcr keyed upon the shaft and :lormed with a clutch face adapted to coopc'atc with the clutch face on thi arm to providea releasable connection between the arm and shaft, and yielding means acting on the clutch n'ieinber to hold the two clutch tacos normally in LIl I:l{,It?ltt(.X1t with each other.

41.111 combimttion, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer, a discharge operating shaft, an arm loose on the shaft and formed with a clutch :lace, power means connected to the arn. a hollow clutch member keyed on the shaft and havinga clutch tlacc adapted to engage the clutch taco of the arm to produce a relea able connection between the arm and the shaft, and a spring housed within the hollow clutch member and nornrally acting: upon the same to hold the two clutch faces in operative engagement with each other. t i

l2. In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer, a constantly driven power member, a second power member driven intermittently therein andoperatively connected to the discharge means. timing mechanism for the mixer. means controlled by the said timing: mechanism for "tlllSl: the intermittently driven power'member to be actuated by the constantly driven power member. and means for prerenlinc the sccond power member from being prcinaturel brought into cooperative relation with the constantly driven power member.

In combination, a mixer, discharge means for the mixer a constantly driven giar. t gen adapted to be driven intermib tently by the constantly driven gear and operativcly connected to the discharge means, starting means for initially bringingthe two gears into mesh to actuate the dischargjre meanet and means controlled by the starting means for preventing the gears from being brought into mesh independently of the starting: means.

it-t. In crunhiuatlon, a mixer. discharge moansior the mixer. a ('onstanthr driven nealx a near adapted to be driven intermittently by the constantly driven gear and operatirelr connected to the discharge means. pii s projecting: from. the internittently driven gear, a starting lever having a portion which projects into the 'poth of one oi the pin for cooperation therewith to prevent the gears l'roni being); brought prematnrely into mesh and lnwinga head which is; adapted to engage another pin to initially rotate the gear to bring the gears into mesh, the tirsl' mentioned portion being swung: into inoperative position when the head is hroneht into operative cngnre'cnicnt with one oi" the pins. and means for actua ,0 the starting" lever and detent conti'olhn5 the mechanism and the chute establishing a coo t0 (1])- s morenectii'ui cnahiine' the power mechanis crate while the chute is stopped in it ment against operation thereby througg h mectiin e 1 obstruction or the like.

i"; In ('Ollllllllt'tlfltJll. a concrete minor; meant; for charnino aggregates: thereinto. a discharge for the inixcrl power tncans tor cmeratin the diechar nna hatchmctcr ar ranged to iutcrinittcntl v comicet the power means with the disclniro c and control means intermediate the batchanetcr and Haiti power means. i

in. In continuation. a concrete mixer. a discharge means therefor. power means inchulim); constantly drircn re/ar a second goal: a hatchmctcr, and means operable front the l' atchmetcr for causing: engageinc-nt o the second gear with the said constantly (lll\t-ll. "0tlt. together with an operatintr eon nection between the second pico amlthe discharsge means.

it). In eombinatioin a concrete mixer, a dis charge means therefor, power means ineludin r constantly driven near. a second gear. a liatclnneter. and means operable from the hatchme'ter tor cauainir ruigrzdrcinent oi the second gear with the e: id constantly driven great: together with an operating connccthm between the second gear and the diecl'aro'e means. said gears having inter-nieshingr teeth.

and the second tzcar hating-J; interrupted tooth portions; such that: after it has-been cn sra erod with the eonstantlv driven {It-211 it may at. a

precletoroiined time become diecumigedto diioa'mtinnc the tuicratioir oil" the tiliseharee means. i i 1 i In testimoi'i whet-cot l ati'ix oeoaen 1?. ween.

my signature. 

